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Endocrine changes in patients with acute organophosphate poisoning

Alparslan mah. Görkem sok., Görkem apt. 10/18, Kayseri, 38030, Turkey; Department of Internal Medicine, Erciyes University, Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey; Department of Endocrinology, Erciyes University, Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey

F Bayram

K Ünlühizarci

F Kelestimur

Department of Internal Medicine, Erciyes University, Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey; Department of Endocrinology, Erciyes University, Medical School, Kayseri, Turkey

In critical illness, several drugs and various stressful conditions modify the functions of neurotransmitters which consequently affect the secretion of pituitary hormones. Although the role of neurotransmitters in the regulation of endocrine system is well known, cholinergic actions have been less investigated. In animals, cholinesterase inhibitors were shown to modify the pituitary-thyroid and pituitary-adrenal axes, and to affect prolactin levels. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the organophosphate compounds on endocrine system, particularly pituitary hormones. This prospective study was performed in Medical Intensive Care Unit of Erciyes University Medical School Hospital. Twenty-two consecutive patients (ten males and 12 females aged 28+8 years) with organophosphate poisoning were included in the study. ACTH (P50.002), cortisol (P50.0005) and PRL (P50.005) levels were significantly higher during poisoning than after resolution of poisoning. FSH levels were significantly lower during poisoning (P50.05). Sick euthyroid syndrome was determined in seven patients (31.8%). Two of them had low fT₃ (with normal fT₄ and TSH), two had low fT₄ (with normal fT₃ and TSH) and three had low TSH (with normal fT₃ and fT₄) levels. Serum levels of these hormones returned to normal values after resolution of poisoning. The present study demonstrated that organophosphate compounds affected PRL, ACTH and cortisol levels, but did not change LH levels. Organophosphate compounds may result in sick euthyroid syndrome. These conditions may be related to the effects of acetylcholine and direct effect of organophosphate compounds.

Key Words: endocrine • organophosphate • hormone • thyroid

Human & Experimental Toxicology, Vol. 18, No. 10, 598-601 (1999)
DOI: 10.1191/096032799678839419


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